You're LOSING MONEY in Self Publishing, Here's Why

About this video

Dale gives five ways self-publishers lose money by defaulting to Amazon. (1) KDP vs Apple Books: KDP pays 70% only for ebooks priced $2.99–$9.99 and drops to 35% outside that band, plus charges delivery fees, whereas Apple pays 70% regardless of price, charges no delivery fees, allows free books, does not price-match, and has no paid store placement or third-party ads. (2) ACX vs Findaway Voices for audiobooks: through ACX, Apple keeps 75% of an Apple sale, leaving 25%, of which the author gets 40% if exclusive; through Findaway Voices Apple pays 45% and Findaway’s 80% revenue share means the author keeps 80% of that 45% — and Apple defers to Findaway if a book is on both. (3) Shopify with Lulu Xpress lets authors fulfill print orders through their own store, collect payment first, and keep all royalties minus print fees. (4) Gumroad: on the free plan fees are 5% plus a 3.5% + 30-cent charge fee (a $10 ebook nets about $9.12); a $10/month plan waives the 5%. He cites author Ashley Christ pricing her ebook there to avoid KDP’s penalty band. (5) Amazon Associates adds 4% affiliate income on your own book links, and Geniuslink redirects one link to each buyer’s regional store; Dale claims a 1010% return on investment in a single month using Geniuslink at about $5 per month. The video is sponsored by Author Brand Kits, a done-for-you author website service run by his assistant, offered at 25% off.

Key takeaways

• Apple Books pays 70% royalties at any price with no delivery fees, while KDP drops to 35% outside $2.99–$9.99 and charges delivery fees.
• For Apple audiobook sales, Findaway Voices (80% of Apple’s 45%) beats ACX (40% of the 25% left after Apple’s cut), and Apple favors Findaway when both carry the book.
• Selling print books via Shopify plus Lulu Xpress lets you collect payment first and keep royalties minus only print fees.
• Gumroad’s free plan costs 5% plus 3.5% + 30 cents per sale; paying $10/month removes the 5% fee.
• Layering Amazon Associates (4%) with Geniuslink’s region-redirecting links adds affiliate income on top of royalties; Dale claims a 1010% one-month ROI on Geniuslink.

Episode details: published April 28, 2021 · 10:01 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are Dale L. Roberts’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.

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